Canadian defensive back Jonathan Sutherland has signed with the Seattle Seahawks after going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to a report from TSN’s Dave Naylor.
The Ottawa, Ont. native was a four-star high school recruit, attending Episcopal High School in Virginia before committing to Penn State in 2017. He has seen significant playing time on defence since the 2018 season and was the first player awarded the jersey number ‘0’ due to his effort on special teams.
Sutherland made the transition from safety to a hybrid linebacker role in 2022, collecting 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in 13 games. In 58 career appearances for the Nittany Lions, he has 137 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and two blocked kicks.
He is one of just two four-time team captains in school history, the other being quarterback Sean Clifford who was drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers.
The five-foot-11, 202-pound defender reportedly clocked a 4.58-second forty-yard dash at his pro day, while leaping 37.5 inches in the vertical and 10-foot, three inches in the broad jump. He also ran a 4.13-second short shuttle and 6.87-second three-cone, while putting up 25 reps on the bench.
Sutherland was a favourite to be selected first overall in the 2023 CFL Draft by his hometown Ottawa Redblacks, checking in at number eight on the final Scouting Bureau rankings. However, he could fall out of the top spot due to his NFL opportunity.
